The present generation of the Oltersea family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in a region or small valley with alder trees. The surname Oltersea may also indicate one who came from Aldersey, an ancient village or hamlet that once existed in England.

Early Origins of the Oltersea family

The surname Oltersea was first found in Cheshire, at Aldersey, a civil parish, now in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester. They are a family of great antiquity in that county, and held estates at Aldersey and Spurstow from about the 11th century. They also held estates at Bunbury and Peel Hall in the parish of Tarvin.

Early History of the Oltersea family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oltersea research.Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1899, 1581, 1586 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Oltersea History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oltersea Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Oltersea include Aldersey, Eldersey, Aldersea, Eldersy and others.

Early Notables of the Oltersea family (pre 1700)

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oltersea Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Oltersea family to the New World and Oceana

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Oltersea were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Grace Aldersey, who settled in Virginia in 1646; Stephen Aldersea who arrived in Maryland in 1724; and John Aldersey, who settled in Boston in 1820.